Article 48. Port Districts of California Public Contract Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 48.

The provisions of this article shall apply to contracts by port districts as provided in Part 4 (commencing with Section 6200) of Division 8 of the Harbors and Navigation Code.

Contracts for the doing of new construction work, the cost of which exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or the purchasing of supplies, the cost of which exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), or projects involving maintenance of buildings and improvements, the cost of which exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000), shall be let by the board upon competitive bidding. Notice of the proposed letting of contract shall be given by publication pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in the county in which the district is located, at least five days before the time fixed for opening bids. Bidding shall be by sealed proposals filed with the district, upon forms furnished by it, and under such rules and regulations as the board may prescribe. All bids shall be publicly opened and declared under procedures established by the board, and the award of the contract shall be made in open session of the board to the lowest and best responsible bidder.

In case of an emergency, the board may, by resolution passed by a four-fifths vote of all of its members, declare and determine that public interest and necessity demand the immediate expenditure of public money to safeguard life, health, or property, and thereupon proceed to expend any sum or enter into a contract involving the expenditure of any sum needed in the emergency without observance of the provisions requiring contracts, bids, or notice. If notice for bid to let contracts will not be given, the board shall also comply with Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 22050).

Notwithstanding Section 20751, the board of the Ventura Port District may award a contract for the performance of dredging work within the district's boundaries without competitive bidding, provided that both of the following apply:
  (a) The dredging contractor was selected through a federal competitive bidding process for a federal dredging project then underway in the County of Ventura.
  (b) The board makes written findings, based on substantial evidence in the record, that the contract awarded pursuant to this section is likely to cost less than a contract awarded pursuant to Section 20751.

Notwithstanding Section 20751, all bids for construction work shall be presented under sealed cover and shall be accompanied by one of the following forms of bidder's security:
  (a) Cash.
  (b) A cashier's check made payable to the district.
  (c) A certified check made payable to the district.
  (d) A bidder's bond executed by an admitted surety insurer, made payable to the district. Upon an award to the lowest bidder, the security of an unsuccessful bidder shall be returned in a reasonable period of time, but in no event shall that security be held by the district beyond 60 days from the time the award is made.

The board may delegate to its officers the execution of contracts in which the amount involved is less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).